<I>The Leftovers</I> isn't your typical chick lit. Well, maybe it is. But it's not a romance-y girl meets boy and pines for boy until they finally end up together at the end. (Not a spoiler - just a typical chick lit theme example.) Instead, we meet Susie who is 30-something, in a dead-end job that's she's ready to quit but only until after she gets a promotion and bonus, reeling from a breakup for a long-term boyfriend, all while trying to navigate through single/dating life again.

Susie has ideas. Good ideas. But little confidence in herself and her own abilities. We see her struggle through many decisions and situations that could easily bring her to rock bottom. But what Stella Newman delivers is a strong female character who is able to talk herself out of bad situations that could turn worse and stick up for herself. This isn't just a book about finding the guy she is going to spend the rest of her life with. Rather, it is about Susie finding herself.

I appreciate the theme and the strength of the main character. Although it did take me a little bit longer than I would have wanted to finish reading, I was glad that I did pick it up finally and give it a chance.

Awesome story. Can’t wait to read more from this author!!!

Left Overs is the latest novel by Stella Newman, author of Pear Shaped, in which Susie is described by a magazine as a 'leftover' - a 30-something without a dream man, job or home. It's a flirty, sweet novel - admittedly I didn't enjoy it as much as Pear Shaped, but it's still a fun read.